Apparatus for in-camera identity marking of film

ABSTRACT

A device for in-camera marking of photographs, the device including light generating means for exposing an edge position of the film and being selectively movable to various positions within the camera to correspondingly impress mark the various positions on the periphery of the photograph.

This is a Continuation of my pending application Ser. No. 860,522 filedMay 7, 1986, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,301 issued July 7, 1987.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In professional and commercial photographic studio operations it isnecessary that many of the photographs taken be marked with informationrelating to identity, client, date, job number etc. Various expedientsemployed to that end have included holding captioned cards in front ofthe camera lens, actually physically marking the film as by scratching,post exposure of data on the film, tape labelling or tedious butmeticulously practiced cataloging and filing procedures. It also isknown to incorporate various form of devices in cameras to effect a filmmarking. Representative of such devices are those shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,051,193; 2,896,522; 3,631,773; 3,906,523 and 4,182,559. Whilethese patented devices produce the desired identification they involveunnecessarily complicated constructions, and mark identification only toa limited degree. More importantly they lack flexibility of theself-same device for use in camera situations where varying sizes ofphotographs are being taken and where it may be desirable to vary thelocation on a photograph where the marking is to be made, e.g., at abottom margin on one photograph but on a top margin on the nextsucceeding photograph taken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for in-camera identitymarking in addition to the object or scene photographed, of film toproduce permanent marking of such film or photographs with importantdata relating to date taken, sequence in a series of like scenes, clientetc. The apparatus is of simplified construction and can be permanentlyembodied in a camera body or it can be removably mounted in the camerabody at the rear thereof on frames for use with formats of sizes 4"×5",5"×7", 8"×10" and 11"×14", as well as others.

In accordance with the invention an encoder module is mounted on a framemember which frame member can either be a permanent fixed part of thecamera or it can be a removable member. The frame is of open rectangularconfiguration, the opening therein being of the general dimensionalcharacter of a particular format, e.g., an 8"×10" size, the openingbeing defined by the inner periphery of the four frame sides. Theencoder module which extends a distance into the frame opening includesa light proof housing which carries as an assembly therein thecomponents involved in generating and projecting discrete light beams ofidentification characters which are used to expose an identificationimage on film. Thus there is included a lamp as a light source, a lightdiffuser in line with the lamp, a character font which in a preferredform is a liquid crystal display, a collimator and a lens member. Thelens member is aligned with a window in the housing so that light beamspassing through the liquid crystal display can be directed out of thewindow and onto a film strip. The housing is mounted on the innerperiphery of one of the frame member sides in such manner that thewindow is in facing confrontation with an edge portion of a film stripheld in a film cassette receivable in a camera in known manner.

The operation of the generating and projecting means and theparticularized content of the marking produced therewith is controlledby a microcomputer or microprocessor unit, such unit being ofconstruction and mode of operation well known by those skilled in theart. The microprocessor unit includes a display which denotes the inputdisplay provided therefrom to and duplicated at the liquid crystaldisplay. Such unit can be a separate component cable connected to theframe member, or it can be built into and housed along with aself-contained power source such as a battery in an extension pieceformed on the frame member. The operation of the lamp can be effected ina preferred manner with a sensor that detects the presence of film imageexposure light in the camera body when a photograph is taken and suchsensor being used to control the energization of the lamp in the encodermodule. Lamp operation also could be effected by a manually controlledswitch.

An important feature of the invention is the adaptabiliy of the encodermodule for use in marking photographs of various formats or sizes. Themodule itself is dimensioned such that it has less length than theshortest side of a frame member used in association with the smallestformat size, e.g., a 4"×5" format. The electrical components in themodule are connected with terminals or contacts and these in turn arereceived in complemental terminal connector means arranged in each ofthe four sides of the frame member, so that the module can selectivelybe removably mounted in any one of the frame four sides tocorrespondingly dispose marking on any one of the four margins of thefilm strip. It also is possible to selectively position the module alonga given frame side to thereby allow marking anywhere along a given filmstrip margin. Electrical power potential at the frame terminal connectormeans is made available from the power source of the microprocessorunit. A particular advantage is that the module can be removed from asmaller format associated frame and be used in a larger format frame sothat a single module is all that is required for marking purposes in anumber of format sizes.

The advantages and further features of the invention will be made moreapparent from the following detailed description to be given hereinafterand will be described in terms of such features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts as will be exemplifiedin the construction set forth and the scope of the invention will beindicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention willbe had from the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partly exploded view of a camera in which theapparatus of the the present invention can be used, the frame memberbeing removably mounted in the camera, the frame and film cassette beingdepicted in exploded position for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the relative positioning theencoder module carrying frame member has with respect to the filmcassette for reception thereof in the camera, the frame member beingprovided with an extension piece in which is carried the microprocessorunit, and the encoder module being depicted as mounted on one of theframe inner periphery short sides;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sandwiched assemblycomponents of which the encoder module is comprised, a portion of theframe member on which the module can be mounted being depicted andillustrating one form in which the terminal connector means are carriedin such frame member;

FIG. 4 is a fragmenting elevational view, partly in section showing howthe encoder module terminals are received in the FIG. 3 frame memberterminal connector means;

FIG. 5 is a graphic depiction of the controlling circuitry for theapparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the frame member as afixed structure in a camera;

FIG. 7 is a view of a photograph marked with the apparatus of theinvention, the marking having been effected at the lower edge portionthereof;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating another mannerof providing terminal connector means in the frame member so that theencoder module can be selectively positioned slidably at plurallocations along a given frame member side; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one manner of receivingthe module terminals in the FIG. 8 frame member.

Throughout the following description, like reference numerals are usedto denote like parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a camera 10 of the type commonly employed by professionaland commercial photographers for photographic work, the camera having abody part 12 at the rear end of which is a background-viewing screenunit 14. The background-viewing screen it is understood constitutes arectangular carrier 15 in which is inset a glass viewing screen 17, thecarrier being removably held on the camera body part 12 by clips anddetents in well known arrangement, whereas, screen 17 is connected toblade springs 19 fixed to the carrier so that the screen can be flexedoutwardly from the camera counter to the bias of the springs 19 to allowinsertion of a film cassette forwardly of the screen. Other ways ofmounting the background-viewing screen unit 14 to body part 12 could beused. The viewing screen 17 is shown partly open or pried out a distancefrom carrier 15 in FIG. 1. A film cassette 16 of known construction andcarrying an unexposed strip of film or a sensitive film plate as well asa light shield, can be received in the camera immediately forwardly ofthe glass-viewing screen 17. The apparatus of the invention includes theframe member 18 which in the depicted embodiment is removably receivablein the camera body in front of the film cassette so that in use, thefilm cassette is located intermediate the glass-viewing screen 17 andthe frame member. The frame member 18 includes an extension piece 20,has an encoder module 22 carried thereon and can be connected by a cable24 with a microprocessor unit 26, all of which shall be explained inmore detail below. In using the apparatus of the invention, the framemember 18 will be received in front of the viewing screen 17, the screenwill be closed and the photographer will compose on the viewing screenthe shot or image of the object to be photographed. When this has beendone, the photographer will in respect of the marking data to be placedon the photograph, input such data by means of microprocessor unit 26 tothe encoder module, a loaded film cassette will then be slid into thecamera, the light shield removed therefrom, the object photographed andexposure of the marking data onto the film strip will be made byoperation of the encoder module. Frame member 18 is provided with a feltmember 23 of encircling expanse as shown in FIG. 1 and provided toinsure light-tight positioning of the film cassette adjacent the framemember in use.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that frame member 18 is an open,generally rectangular shaped component having the two long sides 28, 29and two short sides 30, 31, the inner peripheries of the sides definingthe frame opening 3 with such opening generally registering with theexpanse of a film strip 34 carried in the cassette 16 when the same arein place in the camera, such placement and registration being aided bythe presence of a tongue 36 in the cassette fitting in a groove 38 inthe frame member. A similar tongue 39 at the opposite side of cassette16 insures proper registration of the cassette and viewing screen 17.Frame extension piece 20 is formed as a preferably integral extension offrame short side 30, with the encoder module 22 being depicted by way ofexample as removably mounted at the inner periphery of such short sidesince as will be explained and the invention provides, the module couldalso be mounted at the inner periphery of any one of the other threeframe sides with equal facility depending on where the marking data isto be marked on the photograph. In the mounting depicted, the encodermodule 22 is disposed such that a window 40 in the module light proofhousing 42 is in facing confrontation with a peripheral edge portion ofthe film strip in the cassette, such window being generally on a planarline with the viewed upper surface of frame member short side 30.

The encoder module 22 as same is depicted in FIG. 3 includes light proofhousing 42 in which is sandwiched as an assembly the certain componentsrequired for generating and projecting discrete light beams ofidentification characters onto the film strip to expose anidentification image thereon. The assembly includes in sequentiallycomposed assembly, a reflector 44, a light tube or lamp 46, a lightdiffuser plate 48, a liquid crystal display element 50 operable togenerate discrete alpha-numeric characters, a light collimator element52 and a lens bank 54. The assembly is arranged such that when lamp 46is energized and light beams pass through the liquid crystal displaysuch beams in discrete character form are directed by the lens bankthrough housing window 40. The encoder also may include a light sensorsuch as a photo-cell 56 carried, e.g., on a clip 57 at the outside ofhousing 42 and employed to sense image exposing light present in thecamera when the photograph is taken and thereby trigger energization oflamp 46 to provide contemporaneous marking imaging on the film strip aswell. In addition to marking effected with liquid crystal display 50, anindicia bearing transparency 60 can be received in the housing throughslot 62 in placement alongside the liquid crystal display and betweenthe diffuser 48 and collimator 52. Marking will be made on the filmthrough the agency of this element in the same manner as the display 50,but the transparency would be used for marking of data of a morepersonalized nature such as a photographer's name, special logo or likedata not readily producible with a liquid crystal display.

Suitable circuit components such as wiring 66 to the lamp, that 69 forthe photo-cell and conductor components 70 as associated with the liquidcrystal display are provided. These are arranged and provided inaccordance with well known practice and an operating circuit havingterminals 72 (FIG. 4) extending sidewise outwardly from the bottom ofhousing 42 results, with a representative array of how these terminalsare arranged being shown at the rear bottom part of the housingdepiction in FIG. 3. Complemental terminal connector means 74 areprovided in the frame four sides to be receptive of the terminals 72 sothat the module 22 selectively can be positioned in the frame member tomark a given one of the four edge portions of the photograph. Theterminal connector means 74 in turn can be electrically connected to asocket 76 such as receives a plug on cable 24 leading from themicroprocessor unit 26 (FIG. 1). Where the terminal connector means 74are connected with a microprocessor carried in extension piece 20 andelectrical power means embodied therewith, the such connector meanswould be connected to the microprocessor unit in known manner (notshown).

An important advantage of the invention is the flexibility it providesin marking photographs of various format sizes. Such sizes generallyinclude but are not limited to 4"×5", 5"×7", 8"×10" and 11"×14", thesebeing the more commonly used ones. While a frame member 18 will beprovided in association with each of the aforementioned format sizes, itis not necessary that there be individual ones of the encoder module 22for each frame size. A single encoder will suffice. The encoder moduleis of compact size and can be made with a housing length only about 31/2inches long, about 13/4 inches deep and about 1/2 inch wide andeffective to mark characters in an array about 1/8"×3". Such dimensionsthus allow the same encoder module to be employed in a frame associatedwith any one of the aforementioned format sizes since the smallest ofthe controlling dimensions is the 4 inch long short side of a 4"×5"format arrangement. Terminal connector means 74 and where required ifthe microprocessor unit is not built into the frame member, sockets 76will be provided in the varying sized frame members as above described.

The operation of the apparatus for the purpose of effecting marking willnow be described with reference being had to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. It willbe understood that a frame embodying the microprocessor unit has alreadybeen inserted in the back of the camera body and the image of the objectcomposed by the photographer. The photographer will now set up themarking data procedure using the microprocessor unit 26. This unit is aprogrammable component of a type well known to those skilled in the artand very much like the widely used programmable hand-held calculator,such component having computer capability. The format presentationthereof is shown generally at 80 and is a key pad with separate modekeys. The mode keys activate the specific information elements intowhich it is desired to input data. Some functions could be electivelyautomatic such as continuous up-dating calendar and a self-advancingexposure counter. Also included is a visual display 82 (which can be aliquid crystal display) which will display the particular marking datadesired to be marked on the film as a same produced with appropriateinput to the microprocessor unit. The liquid crystal display 50 in theencoder module mirrors the display 82 in that the same charactersappearing on the front of the microprocessor unit are duplicated indisplay 50 except in one important respect. The liquid crystal displayelement 50 is connected in the circuit with reversed polarizationthereby to render the characters formed in display 50 transparent with ablack background making the display 50 in effect a negative throughwhich light beams will pass to effect positive imaging.

With the marking input data set, the photographer now inserts filmcassette 16, removes the shield therefrom and exposes the film to takethe picture. Since the microprocessor includes a source of electricalpotential therein, e.g., a battery, this potential is available to powerthe encoder. By circuit arrangement of known character, the photo-cell56 sensing the presence of light in the camera body can be used toinitiate power supply to and hence triggering of the lamp 46. This willcause marking data exposure on the film strip to produce, e.g., the filmmarking 90 on picture 92 (FIG. 7). A manual triggering of the lamp 46also could be used by pressing switch button 94 on the microprocessorunit 26.

FIG. 6 shows the mounting of an encoder module receptive frame member118 in a camera body 112 as a permanent part thereof, the depictedembodiment being one wherein the structure of the background-viewingscreen carrier 115 has been appropriately modified to serve suchfunction. In this embodiment, the frame could be powered and markingcontrolled from a remote microprocessor unit 26 (FIG. 1).

FIGS. 8 and 9 show how the frame member 18 can be provided with terminalconnector means to permit slidable positioning of the encoder module 22at any one of varying locations along each side of the frame memberinner periphery. In this embodiment, the frame member has two continuousslots 120, 122 extending around the inner periphery and disposed at thebase of each slot are continuous contacts 124 associated with the slots.These contacts 124 can be engaged by the terminals 220, 222 of theencoder module 22 regardless of its longitudinal positioning along agiven frame side. The contacts will as will be apprehended andunderstood by those skilled in the art, be electrically connected to thecontrol unit in known manner.

While there is above disclosed only some embodiments of the markingapparatus of the present invention, it will be appreciated that variousmodifications can be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe disclosed invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a camera having a camera body with respectivefront and rear ends, a background viewing screen unit carried on therear end of said body, a film cassette for holding a rectangular-shapedstrip of unexposed photographic film, said cassette being removablyreceivable in said body forwardly adjacent said viewing screen, and aframe member disposed in said body in front of said cassette, said framemember having a generally rectangular opening therein which registerswith the strip of film and is defined by a correspondingly configuredrectangular inner frame periphery, an encoder module for markingidentification data on the film, the module being mountable on saidframe at the inner periphery thereof and comprisinga lightproof housing,the housing having a window therein which disposes in facingconfrontation with an edge portion of a cassette held film strip, andelectrically operated means for generating and projecting discrete lightbeams of identification characters through said window onto said filmstrip edge portion to expose an identification image thereon, saidgenerating and projecting means including circuit components andterminals therefor associated with operation of said generating andprojecting means, said frame member having complemental terminalconnector means receptive of said terminals in at least one of saidframe inner peripheral sides whereby said module can be removablymounted on said one inner peripheral side and electrical power potentialavailable at said terminal connector means communicated to saidgenerating and projecting means for operating same, the terminalconnector means being such that said terminals are slidably movabletherein for selectively slidably positioning said module at plurallocations along said one inner peripheral side.
 2. The camera of claim 1in which said frame member additionally has complemental terminalconnector means in at least one of the inner peripheral sides adjacentto said one inner peripheral side, said module being selectivelyremovably mountable on said one and said at least one adjacent sides,the terminal connector means in both said one and said at least oneadjacent sides being such that said terminals are slidably movabletherein whereby the module can be selectively slidably positioned atplural locations along the inner peripheral side in which it has beenmounted.
 3. The camera of claim 2 in which said terminal connector meanscomprises contacts disposed at the base of slots extending along theinner peripheries of said one and said at least one adjacent sides. 4.The camera of claim 1 in which said frame is removably mountable in saidcamera.
 5. The camera of claim 4 in which the frame is one of aplurality of frames each associated with different ones of acorresponding plurality of film strip sizes.